81 Rolex Attractive and Sought-After Anti-Magnetic Chronograph Wristwatch in Yellow Gold, Reference 3834, With Silver Telemetric and tachymetric Scales Dial

Estimate: € 12,000 –⁠ 25,000

Sold € 20,150

Model: Anti-magnetic
Material: Yellow Gold
Reference N°: 3834
Year: 1940s
Caliber: 10 1/2″ Valjoux 69
Movement type: Manual
Bracelet: Leather Strap
Dimensions: 32 mm
Signed: Dial, case and movement

The Rolex chronograph par excellence, by now, is certainly the Daytona. Whether manual or automatic, it has now reached a very high level of knowability and collectibility. But in the course of its history, Rolex has been able to create around the ’40s and ’50s a whole undergrowth of chronographs that today enjoy a great interest from collectors. Among the various references released by the brand with the crown, one of the most intriguing and certainly very successful from an aesthetic point of view both in terms of size and finished details, is certainly the 3834. This model was introduced around the beginning of the 1940s and was available in various materials such as stainless steel or, the most popular, pink and yellow gold. The specimen offered here is surprising for its high quality of both case and dial. In fact, it is becoming increasingly difficult today to find watches with 70 or 80 years of life still well preserved, but this lot reflects these characteristics. The three-body case with snap on back is simply beautiful, with still proportionate concave lapidated lugs and nice inclined bezel. The caliber equipped on this watch is the notorious Valjoux 69, one of the most appreciated. The silvered dial is the perfect mix of attractive features: the eccentric outer black tachymeter scale, the vivid inner blue telemeter scale, the sharp applied pink gold dart faceted indexes, the geometric subsidiary seconds and 30-minute register dials and the elegant pink gold dauphine hands. This watch is undoubtedly one of the nicest gems in Rolex’s celebrated chronograph family.